Pre-season. Some regard it as an important part of the season, while others see it as a distraction, a series of games that only serve as an obstacle to what really matters.

Brendan Rodgers – and any other manager, for that matter – will always subscribe to the former mentality. Pre-season allows opportunity; opportunity to try different tactics, to watch different players, to assess and tweak a squad.

It is also an opportunity for players, whether established or not. It’s a chance to regain fitness ahead of the new season and a reminder to the manager of ability.

For Liverpool, the opportunities begin on Wednesday away to Brondby, before travelling to Preston, the United States and then finishing at home to Borussia Dortmund.

Here are five players who can make their mark on pre-season with opportunity awaiting them. Those who are involved in the Under-21 set-up may have limited time with the first-team squad once the World Cup players return, but Brondby and Preston could still represent a chance to show what they can do.

Emre Can

There is a lot of interest about Can,signed from Bayer Leverkusen for £10m. With his versatility both positionally and tactically, the Germany Under-21 international will be able to be used in a number of roles in these friendlies.

His personal belief is that his best position is at the base of midfield, but he is also capable of playing in a slightly more advanced midfield role, similar to Jordan Henderson and Joe Allen.Steven Gerrard does not return until the start of the USA tour, so Can could showcase his potential defensively; however, with Henderson also absent, it is a chance for his attacking to shine.

In the midfield, only Gerrard and Henderson will not feature in pre-season from the start, meaning Can will have to work to impress ahead of Allen and Lucas Leiva. It also means, however, he could line up next to a duo who have become established at Anfield.

Jose Enrique

It has been a difficult year for the Spaniard. Suffering a long-term knee injury and missing the Merseyside derby is tough; watching young Jon Flanagan solidify himself in the left back position would have been even tougher.

Enrique has become the forgotten man of Rodgers’ squad. As the Ulsterman searches for another left back – with Alberto Moreno, Ryan Bertrand and Ben Davies all linked – Enrique returns, fit, ahead of the new season.

There is a conundrum about Enrique, one which the player must seek to solve. The 28 year old has been both good and bad under Rodgers, but returns to a side far different than the one he departed.

His strength, speed and usefulness on the ball, coupled with the expectation to play as a left winger in an attacking side, could ensure he isn’t forgotten for much longer. Likewise, he could be yesterday’s man in a team of tomorrow.

Joao Carlos Teixeira

Teixeira has only played eight competitive minutes for Liverpool, but in that time made a vital contribution in the title race, helping the Reds win a stoppage time penalty against Fulham. With a quick shimmy and an even quicker pass, the Portuguese youngster showed why his presence had been wanted for so long.

No pressure this summer, then. Teixeira raised the bar of expectation with his west London cameo. It is now for him to clear it during pre-season.

But the 21 year old is so effortless in possession with a soft touch and a hard eye for goal, it is difficult to not contemplate him lining up in Rodgers’ side some way.

After two seasons in the youth set-ups, largely recovering from a back injury, Teixeira could finally find himself with a chance to make an impact with the first team, particularly with his versatility and ability to play anywhere across the attacking midfield.

Rickie Lambert

Chests were beaten with pride, but eyebrows were also raised when he was signed from Southampton for £4m – it’s an acquisition to make every man and boy on the Kop beam, but the smiles will only remain if the striker performs on the pitch.

After climbing the football ladder, Lambert now stands at the summit; he deserves his place in Rodgers’ squad. But what role he plays, and how he will play it, remains unanswered.

Pre-season will hopefully answer those two questions, and also allow Lambert to show how he is not just a sentimental purchase. He can create goals as well as score them, and has proven he can perform in a side that relies on high-intensity, attacking football.

Lloyd Jones

Rodgers’ desire for another centre back has been well-documented, with his pursuit of Dejan Lovren continuing. But while the search continues, a closer look at the Under-21 squad could be beneficial.

Jones fits the mould of what Rodgers wants in defence - strong, athletic, good in the air and happy to play on the front foot. His inclusion on the substitutes’ bench away to Fulham in May 2013 highlights the future that faces the 18-year-old; so, too, does the fact he appeared more times than any other player in the Under-21 side last season.